Exploring a functional approach to attitudinal brand loyalty

What psychological function does brand loyalty serve? Drawing on Katz’s (1960) Functional Theory of Attitudes, we propose that there are four functions (or motivational antecedents) of loyalty: utilitarian, knowledge, value-expressive and ego-defensive. We discuss how each function relates to the three dimensions of loyalty (i.e. emotional, cognitive, and behavioural loyalty). Then this conceptualisation of brand loyalty is explored using four consumer focus groups. These exploratory results demonstrate that the application of a functional approach to brand loyalty yields insights which have not been apparent in previous research. More specifically, this paper notes insights in relation to brand loyalty from a consumer’s perspective, including the notion that the ego-defensive function is an orientation around what others think and feel. This creates the possibilities for future research into brand loyalty via social network analysis, in order to better understand how the thoughts of others affect consumers’ loyalty attributes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Analyzing weed community changes in extensive farming systemas of the pampas through a functional approach

p.121-130

Analyzing weed community changes in extensive farming systemas of the pampas through a functional approach

p.121-130

Current-density-functional approach to large quantum dots in intense magnetic fields

Within current-density-functional theory, we have studied a quantum dot made of 210 electrons confined in a disk geometry. The ground state of this large dot exhibits some features as a function of the magnetic field (Beta) that can be attributed in a clear way to the formation of compressible and incompressible states of the system. The orbital and spin angular momenta, the total energy, ionization and electron chemical potentials of the ground state, as well as the frequencies of far-infrared edge modes are calculated as a function of Beta, and compared with available experimental and theoretical results.

Characterization theorem for classical orthogonal polynomials on non-uniform lattices: The functional approach

Using the functional approach, we state and prove a characterization theorem for classical orthogonal polynomials on non-uniform lattices (quadratic lattices of a discrete or a q-discrete variable) including the Askey-Wilson polynomials. This theorem proves the equivalence between seven characterization properties, namely the Pearson equation for the linear functional, the second-order divided-difference equation, the orthogonality of the derivatives, the Rodrigues formula, two types of structure relations,and the Riccati equation for the formal Stieltjes function.

Microarrays as a functional approach to the transcriptome

Knowing a cell’s transcriptome is a fundamental requisite in order to analyze its response to the environment. Microarrays have supposed a revolution on this field as they are able to yield an overview of gene expression at any environmental condition on a genome-wide scale. This technique consists in the hybridisation of a nucleic acid sample, previously marked, with a probe (which might be made up of cDNA, oligonucleotides or PCR products) anchored to a solid surface (made of glass, plastic, silicon...) giving as a result a dot grid which reveals, after image analysis, which genes are being expressed. Nevertheless, this only can be achieved if information on the species genome has been generated. Different kinds of expression microarrays exist attending to the probe’s nature and the method used in its synthesis. In this poster two of these will be treated: Spotted Microarrays, for which the probe is synthesised prior to its fixation to the array and allow the analysis of two targets simultaneously. They can be easily customized, but lack high reproducibility and sensitivity. Oligonucleotide Microarrays, which are characterized by the direct printing of the probe on the array. In this case the probes consist on, invariably, oligonucleotides that are complementary to a small fraction of the gene it is representing at the microarray. Their application is somewhat restricted. This fact, however, makes them more reproducible. Currently, the approach towards the transcriptome studies from the Next Generation Sequencing technologies offers a large volume of information in a short amount of time needing less previous information on the target organism than that needed by microarrays, but their expensive price limits their use. The versatility of the latter, together with their reduced costs in comparison to other techniques, makes them an interesting resource in applications that may need less complexity.

mRNA-Seq and microarray development for the Grooved carpet shell clam, Ruditapes decussatus: a functional approach to unravel host -parasite interaction

Background The Grooved Carpet shell clam Ruditapes decussatus is the autochthonous European clam and the most appreciated from a gastronomic and economic point of view. The production is in decline due to several factors such as Perkinsiosis and habitat invasion and competition by the introduced exotic species, the manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. After we sequenced R. decussatus transcriptome we have designed an oligo microarray capable of contributing to provide some clues on molecular response of the clam to Perkinsiosis. Results A database consisting of 41,119 unique transcripts was constructed, of which 12,479 (30.3%) were annotated by similarity. An oligo-DNA microarray platform was then designed and applied to profile gene expression in R. decussatus heavily infected by Perkinsus olseni. Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes between those two conditionswas performed by gene set enrichment analysis. As expected, microarrays unveil genes related with stress/infectious agents such as hydrolases, proteases and others. The extensive role of innate immune system was also analyzed and effect of parasitosis upon expression of important molecules such as lectins reviewed. Conclusions This study represents a first attempt to characterize Ruditapes decussatus transcriptome, an important marine resource for the European aquaculture. The trancriptome sequencing and consequent annotation will increase the available tools and resources for this specie, introducing the possibility of high throughput experiments such as microarrays analysis. In this specific case microarray approach was used to unveil some important aspects of host-parasite interaction between the Carpet shell clam and Perkinsus, two non-model species, highlighting some genes associated with this interaction. Ample information was obtained to identify biological processes significantly enriched among differentially expressed genes in Perkinsus infected versus non-infected gills. An overview on the genes related with the immune system on R. decussatus transcriptome is also reported.

Lattice density-functional theory on graphene

A density-functional approach on the hexagonal graphene lattice is developed using an exact numerical solution to the Hubbard model as the reference system. Both nearest-neighbour and up to third nearest-neighbour hoppings are considered and exchange-correlation potentials within the local density approximation are parameterized for both variants. The method is used to calculate the ground-state energy and density of graphene flakes and infinite graphene sheet. The results are found to agree with exact diagonalization for small systems, also if local impurities are present. In addition, correct ground-state spin is found in the case of large triangular and bowtie flakes out of the scope of exact diagonalization methods.

New results on stability analysis of delayed recurrent neural networks based on the integral quadratic constraints approach

This paper is concerned with the analysis of the stability of delayed recurrent neural networks. In contrast to the widely used Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional approach, a new method is developed within the integral quadratic constraints framework. To achieve this, several lemmas are first given to propose integral quadratic separators to characterize the original delayed neural network. With these, the network is then reformulated as a special form of feedback-interconnected system by choosing proper integral quadratic constraints. Finally, new stability criteria are established based on the proposed approach. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the new approach.

JSONYA/FN: Functional Computation in JSON

Functional programming has a lot to offer to the developers of global Internet-centric applications, but is often applicable only to a small part of the system or requires major architectural changes. The data model used for functional computation is often simply considered a consequence of the chosen programming style, although inappropriate choice of such model can make integration with imperative parts much harder. In this paper we do the opposite: we start from a data model based on JSON and then derive the functional approach from it. We outline the identified principles and present Jsonya/fn — a low-level functional language that is defined in and operates with the selected data model. We use several Jsonya/fn implementations and the architecture of a recently developed application to show that our approach can improve interoperability and can achieve additional reuse of representations and operations at relatively low cost. ACM Computing Classification System (1998): D.3.2, D.3.4.

Heart versus mind : the functions of emotional and cognitive loyalty

While there is substantial research on attitudinal and behavioral loyalty, the deconstruction of attitudinal loyalty into its two key components – emotional and cognitive loyalty – has been largely ignored. Despite the existence of managerial strategies aimed at increasing each of these two components, there is little academic research to support these managerial efforts. This paper seeks to advance the understanding of emotional and cognitive brand loyalty by examining the psychological function that these dimensions of brand loyalty perform for the consumer. We employ Katz’s (1960) four functions of attitudes (utilitarian, knowledge, value-expression, ego-defence) to investigate this question. Surveys using a convenience sample were completed by 268 consumers in two metropolitan cities on a variety of goods, services and durable products. The relationship between the functions and dimensions of loyalty were examined using MANOVA. The results show that both the utilitarian and knowledge functions of loyalty are significantly positively related to cognitive loyalty while the ego-defensive function of loyalty is significantly positively related to emotional loyalty. The results for the value-expressive function of loyalty were nonsignificant.

Implementation and evaluation of a new model of nursing practice in radiation oncology

Patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer face a series of challenges that require support from a multidisciplinary team which includes radiation oncology nurses. However, the specific contribution of nursing, and the models of care that best support the delivery of nursing interventions in the radiotherapy setting, is not well described. In this case study, the Interaction Model of Client Health Behaviour and the associated principles of person-centred care were incorporated into a new model of care that was implemented in one radiation oncology setting in Brisbane, Australia. The new model of care was operationalised through a Primary Nursing/Collaborative Practice framework. To evaluate the impact of the new model for patients and health professionals, multiple sources of data were collected from patients and clinical staff prior to, during, and 18 months following introduction of the practice redesign. One cohort of patients and clinical staff completed surveys incorporating measures of key outcomes immediately prior to implementation of the model, while a second cohort of patients and clinical staff completed these same surveys 18 months following introduction of the model. In-depth interviews were also conducted with nursing, medical and allied health staff throughout the implementation phase to obtain a more comprehensive account of the processes and outcomes associated with implementing such a model. From the patients’ perspectives, this study demonstrated that, although adverse effects of radiotherapy continue to affect patient well-being, patients continue to be satisfied with nursing care in this specialty, and that they generally reported high levels of functioning despite undergoing a curative course of radiotherapy. From the health professionals’ perspective, there was evidence of attitudinal change by nursing staff within the radiotherapy department which reflected a greater understanding and appreciation of a more person-centred approach to care. Importantly, this case study has also confirmed that a range of factors need to be considered when redesigning nursing practice in the radiotherapy setting, as the challenges associated with changing traditional practices, ensuring multidisciplinary approaches to care, and resourcing a new model were experienced. The findings from this study suggest that the move from a relatively functional approach to a person-centred approach in the radiotherapy setting has contributed to some improvements in the provision of individualised and coordinated patient care. However, this study has also highlighted that primary nursing may be limited in its approach as a framework for patient care unless it is supported by a whole team approach, an appropriate supportive governance model, and sufficient resourcing. Introducing such a model thus requires effective education, preparation and ongoing support for the whole team. The challenges of providing care in the context of complex interdisciplinary relationships have been highlighted by this study. Aspects of this study may assist in planning further nursing interventions for patients undergoing radiotherapy for cancer, and continue to enhance the contribution of the radiation oncology nurse to improved patient outcomes.